6 Steelers surprises from Sunday’s win in Cleveland
A Steelers win in Cleveland? Holding the Browns to only 10 points? Despite having their full offensive arsenal for the first time in a calendar year?
Yeah, there were some surprises alright, and many more from where those came from. Sunday’s 15-10 win was the cherry on the icing on the cake that was a sweet victory, but I found some other areas to be pleasantly appealing too.
Here’s my picks for the Steelers surprises of the game for Week 8.
Steelers Offensive Line
Okay, it wasn’t perfect by any means, but let’s face the facts: yinz were worried about Cleveland’s defense, weren’t you?
I know I was: Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney and others have been wrecking havoc on teams throughout the season. Garrett had 4.5 sacks alone in a Browns win over the Bears when rookie QB Justin Fields, who is far more mobile than Ben Roethlisberger, was tattooed multiple times, including twice more by Clowney and a combined nine times in total.
Cleveland had 11 other sacks through their first seven games, so you would assume that an inexperienced and previously abused Steelers offensive line wouldn’t stand a chance.
You thought wrong.
While LT Dan Moore Jr. received a 0.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, and there were a number of self-defeating offensive line penalties (including a phantom call on the two-point try later in the game) the big boys upfront gave Big Ben just enough time to connect on critical passes throughout the course of the game, as well as help Najee Harris exceed 100 scrimmage yards.
Najee Harris
In fact, Harris’ performance was the most rushing yards the Browns relinquished all season. Now, that is a surprise when you consider the item above!
Tight End Play
Pat Freiermuth‘s unbelievable catch wasn’t really that surprising if you’ve watched him play: the rest of you couch potatoes now know the best-kept secret in Pittsburgh!
However, it was Zach Gentry, with the complete absence of Eric Ebron (injury) who ascended on Sunday.
The third-year pro was someone I felt the Steelers might cut at the end of training camp. He improved from his first two seasons, where the large 6-7 player was a clumsy blocker and couldn’t be trusted with throwing the football in his direction.
He’s turned around into both a fine blocker and another option in what is already a loaded offense. Gentry finished the day with 3 catches for 39 yards, and now has 6 for 60 on the year.
Not too shabby for a guy who played 45 snaps Sunday, after playing a combined 45 in the previous two games.
Cameron Heyward
I’m sorry I doubted you Cam. You see, those PFF folks, they like to toy wish us Steelers fans. They say mean things about Minkah Fitzpatrick and Mr. Roethlisberger. I just couldn’t believe them when they ranked you ahead of the Rams’ Aaron Donald over the first quarter of the season, as the league’s best defensive tackle.
What I witnessed against a top flight Browns offensive line this weekend was a master working his craft. Heyward doesn’t always get the statistical glory, but if you watch closely, he’s been nothing but a force of nature.
One such play saw Devin Bush clean up and finish a Browns fourth down attempt for a loss: all caused by Heyward manhandling the opposition into the backfield and causing the runner to bounce outside.
I will never doubt you again… Grown. Ass. Man.
Fake Field Goal
I’ll mark this as a surprise even though I smelled it coming.
Ben Roethlisberger checked down to Najee Harris on third down, giving Chris Boswell an even closer field goal chip shot? Yeah right.
I smell fake.
I wish I hadn’t… Boswell rolled out to pass, held the ball for too long, and then was the recipient of a late, illegal helmet hit, which knocked him out of the game.
The consequences were dire, as this happened right before halftime – leaving the Steelers without a placekicker or anyone to take field goals.
This would later setup the equally aggressive move by Mike Tomlin to go for it on fourth down, which ended in the Freiermuth touchdown catch.
But it may have never happened if…
The Referees
Browns fans will call it a five-point win. I will call it like I see it: points left on the table due to awful officiating.
You had Ben Roethlisberger sacked, with the full weight of Malik McDowell on top of him, grinding on top of the Steelers QB as if he were listening to Boyz II Men.
No flag on the play… which would’ve moved the Steelers up from the 18 and given them a first down. Whether they score more points there is arguable, but it probably changes Tomlin’s Boswell fake decision later on.
Speaking of, that play left points on the board, when the hit on Boswell should’ve been equally penalized and given the Steelers more life. In the first example, Boswell kicked it through the upgrights for three points, but in this one? Zilch. Turnover on downs.
Then there’s the nonexistent hold when Big Ben motored in for a two-point conversion, necessary to attempt due to the loss of Boz. At least one or two points missing there as well – and once again because of the officials.
Pass interference? What’s that?
Holding? Only if you’re the Steelers: and not limited to only offensive linemen! (“Defensive Nose Tackle?” Who?!)
Shawn Hochuli’s crew was miserable Sunday and by far the worst we’ve seen all season. The bad part? We may have not seen the worst yet!
